A nice surprise visit from one of my favorite girls (Savannah Arjil -- a close friend of Kassidy's) and she brought me "boobie cupcakes"!...funny!  They were a hit!

I knew my regular doctor sent my pathology results to me, but just noticed her comment at the top:

"Yay! No surprises.  1.5 cm cancer, completely resected. And only the single lymph node with cancer.  Hope you are healing up well"

This is why I have this Doctor!! She also took the time to talk to Ron during his regular appointment to see how He is doing, (He said she was even tearing up while talking) and I am sure she will be doing the same with Kassidy at her appointment today.  I have been saying all along, I have all the right people in place to deal with this!

Surgery went well yesterday.  I am really happy with the UCD system.  I was the Doc's first surgery and made sure to ask him if his day started out good and he was good to go.  My worst irritant (not even pain) is actually my throat from having the breathing tube while being under the anesthetic.  I went in at 6:30, operated at 8:30 and headed home by 2:30.  They gave me an anti nausea patch (same as you wear for sea sickness) and it works.  I slept most of yesterday so had a little trouble actually going to sleep at night, but feel well rested today.  I guess the process has begun -- next step is in about a month...bum bum bum -- that one scares me a little, but will face it when it's time.  Will follow up after my post op appt next week unless anything happens in between but for right now I am doing well.  Thank you all for your kind words, prayers and support!

Oh and....I made it to the World Series ;D

Thanks Geoff!

Today was a little hard, I had to say goodbye or actually "See you later" to my coworkers.  I truly enjoy working in the Library and interacting with the students.  Even though I plan to return, it was hard to leave -- my library helpers made me a poster and cards, and got teary as we were leaving.  I hope I can make it to their promotion, because they will have moved on to middle school when I return.

I have been researching mastectomy vs. lumpectomy and have come to the conclusion that for me, lumpectomy is the way to go.  The reoccurence rate is marginally if at all more than mastectomy and with my doctor's credentials and studies, I think I am in good hands.  I had to let my school know that I wouldn't be able to work, kind of sad because I really do love working there.  My Principal assured me that if I want to come back I will be able to, so that's reassuring.  I guess the countdown has begun.

Finally I met with my surgical oncologist...Dr. Bold....cool name huh?   He actually said he felt like Oz because he came from behind the curtain and had all the answers...true enough!
I have Stage 2 breast cancer, stage 2 because it spread from the duct to a lymph node.  A little weird to be relieved that I have breast cancer, but the good news is all I have is what I knew I had...meaning nothing was found anywhere else.
My treatment begins October 23 -- surgery --- lumpectomy or mastectomy.  My doctor -- who I googled and am more than pleased with his qualifications and expertise, says it's up to me -- he didn't think one was any better ir worse than the other, obviously a mastectomy is more invasive and would require reconstruction , whereas a lumpectomy wouldn't.  Still pondering this one.
After surgery and about 4 to 6 weeks recovery I will be on chemo for 3 to 6 months and Herceptin for 1 year.  When I am done with the chemo, I will have radiation to the area.
It probably will not be the most fun year I have ever had, but the outcome is positive and although I will have to "check in" for the rest of my life.....I will have the rest of my life....hopefully a long one!
I guess overall it was a good day -- I have my answers and direction...onward down the "pink" brick road.

A message from my regular doctor today--

"This looks good I wanted you to have it ASAP -- Please email me if you have any questions"

IMPRESSION:
2.8 CM KNOWN INFILTRATING DUCTAL CARCINOMA AT 12 O'CLOCK IN THE RIGHT BREAST, WITH A KNOWN MESTASTATIC AXILLARY LYMPH NODE ON THE RIGHT.  NO OTHER ABMORMALITIES ARE SEEN

I am taking this as a good sign.  I don't know why she didn't send my bone and CT scan results when they came, maybe they went only to the Oncologist.  Anyway, I am feeling better about Monday and meeting with the Surgical Oncologist, but can't wait until I have all the answers and the treatment plan in action.

I went for an MRI today.  I must say for someone who gets claustraphobic, I did Okay.  So far, I am glad to be in the UCD system.  The people have all been really great, even when they forget to give me earplugs....Holy cow there must be a way to make that machine less noisy.  Garbage truck, train horn and an amplified assortment of ticks, bells and whistles all in one!  Now for Monday when I FINALLY find out the results of all these tests - fingers crossed, praying and thinking good thoughts.

Really.....jury duty???  As much as I actually like to do my civic duty, I think I will take a "pass" this time around.